Flight International reports that the Boeing B717-200s fate could alread be decided within the next three weeks. An announcement could be expectedbefore the year´s end. The line would be brought to a stop within 12 months. Outstanding orders will be fulfilled during these twelve months. The beneficaries wil be the Embraer 190/195 and the Fairchild Dornier 928JET

If the 717 folds, then assuming they have sufficient range, the Fai-Dor 728-928s seem like a perfect fit for MidEx, plus they already have a relationship with the company via Skyway.

Can't find anything about the range of the 728s though, and they might be a bit small... and of course buying them would leave MidEx with the MD-80s for the bigger flights, losing the commonality that would have come with the 717...

THANK YOU!!!!!! Someone who understands the design and economics of the Airbus...If the 717 goes down? Go Embraer...but it's gonna be tough with all those millions and millions of A318s that have been ordered...oh wait...nevermind...no one seems to be in a big hurry to buy the Airbus either...

NO WAY!!!!! I think Boeing should at least wait a couple of years. I mean, what if Northwest gets their act together and orders a heap of them (For those who think Northwest WILL NOT order them, Anything is Possible) Let's not shun the 717 yet. Anyone who hates the 717 just needs to keep their silly and ruthless comments to themselves, for if you are a true lover of aviation, you will not give up so easily.

I read the FI article too and my impression is that the 717 isn't going to last long, but this has been speculated for quite some time, even before 11th Sept. The 717 needs a big order boost soon (unlikely) if its to stay in production.

It ain't over until the fat lady sings. As Critter592 said...if you were a true aviation lover, you would not give up so easily. Boeing would face a massive PR fallout from the workers of LGB. Those folks had more than their fair share of sacifices. We all know Boeing wants to wipe-out the history of McDonnell Douglas, but in the end, it will only bite them in the ass. It's best to keep the 717 going. It's a sleeper hit. It will survive given a chance. Regards.

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin

I don´t think that the Boeing 717-200 will laat much longer. It doesn´t fit into Boeing´s philosphy and even worse: it does steal orders from the B737NG especially the -600. And to market the B712 huge marketing efforts are necessary which are very costly, especially now when airlines are thinking twice about new orders. And to break-even the project needs a couple of orders (to be exact more than 150), extremly unlikely to be ever reached. For Boeing it is likely more satisfying to dropp of the low-yield regional airliner business, leaving thi market to the specialized players, and to refocus efforts on the B737-600, the more promissing product.

I hope Boeing won't need to stop production of the 717 especially because a lot of jobs and money will be affected in Italy as the fuselage is built by Alenia. But I don't think Alitalia will help this programme.

If that's the case, then let bring the production of the 736 down to LGB then. Since the 717 is outselling the 736, Boeing can prolong the agony of the LGB's plant. This way, those workers can enjoy a few more months of uncertainty before the 736 is dropped. BTW, the SEA unions would never allowed the ANY Boeing-built plane to be transferred to Long Beach. But, at the same time, the Boeing unions would welcome the relocation of the C-17 production line. Go figure. Regards.

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin

I'm concerned about the loss of the 717 because part/all? of the wing is made here in Toronto. Matter of fact, their parking lot is one of the best/busiest places to go plane spotting.
Could something by Canadiar - Bombardier fulfill the role vacated by the 717, I wonder?

You won't see YX buying 728s or 928s. They are too small. They don't carry any freight or cargo which is big for Midwest. All their charter customers will not be happy either. They will most likely take delivery of the 717 or go elsewhere and pick up some MD87s or something.

What about Hawaiian Airlines???

Hawaiian has huge plans to replace its entire DC-9 flett with Boeing 717, if the line shuts down then what will they use? What about the 717s they already have, will they become a thron in Hawaiian's side if they were to go with the Canadair CRJ-7/900 or the ERJ-195?

Also, this Dornier 728, what does it look like? Anyone have a picture?

It's a great plane. If they'd shove it down Northwest's procrastinating throat, it's solve many problems for lots of people. Can't that airline make a fleet decision before the change of the NEXT century??? "We're taking the A330 and the 753. Wait, not yet, just kidding..."

That's the rumor I heard from this board, anywho.

I think that MidEx has a plan. When AA gets rid of the TW 717s (which could be in the near future if they can't keep engines screwed on to airbuses) then MidEx will snap them up for a lower price. Sounds appealing to me- a slightly used, yet well cared for state of the art airplane.

It could have done so much more if Boeing hadn't treated it like the illegitimate stepchild...

Sorry for my crass mood.
Randy

25 LGB Photos
: Geez this is getting to be an old topic. ALOHA737-200-Hawaiian already has 13 717s in service. They are very happy with them.

26 Travatl
: So, I'm curious...what then is Boeing going to give AirTran for $19 million a pop? OR Are they going to build the aircraft and let them sit around whi

27 Aloha 737-200
: Thanks for the images Flying-Tiger. As far as Hawaiian Airlines goes, I wasn;t sure how many jets they had in operation yet, but 13 jets isn't enough

28 Woodsboy
: With the fabled Midwest Express fantom order of 717s still seemingly unannounced by Boeing and unconfirmed by the rest of the world AND with the rumor

29 717fan
: OK, I am a 717 fan, but i think we have to wait until Boeing makes a decision about the future of the 717. It is to early to say the 717 is dead or no

30 Flying-Tiger
: I would rule out NW, AA, QF and Aeromexico at the moment. NW+AA are struggling too much to consider new orders. QF has postponed its RJ decision. Aero